Improvement in clothes-washers



R. LUMMIS. Clothes-Washer.

No. 219,488. Pat ented Sept. 9,1879.

WITNESSES: 44 /m'dp' mwmdg:

ATTORNEYS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE,

ROBERT P. LUMMIS, O-F ALTOONA, KANSAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOTHES-WASHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,488, dated September 9, 1879; application filed January 25, 1879.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT POTTER Lun- MIs, of Altoona, in the county of Wilson and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clothes-Washers, of which the following isfa specification.

Figure l is a longitudinal section of my improved washer, taken through the line so a Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre The object of this invention is to furnish an improved device for Washing clothes, which shall be simple in construction, convenient in use, and effective in operation, washing the clothes very quickly and thoroughly.

The invention consists in an improved clothes-washer, formed as hereinafter fully described.

A is a hollow cone, about siX or eight inches in diameter at its base and six or eight inches high. The edge of the base of .the cone A is bent inward, as shown in Fig. 1.

B is atube, about one and three-quarter inch in diameter and twelve inches long, which serves as an air-chamber. The lower part of the tube B passes through and is soldered fast in a hole in the apex of the cone A in such a position that its lower end may be about an inch above the base of the cone A.

O is a truncated cone made smaller than the cone A, so as to play up and down freely Within it.

To the smaller end of the cone 0 is attached a ring-plate having a short tube attached to its inner edge of such a size as to fit loosely and slide freely upon the lower part of the tube B. The ring-plate of the inner cone, (3, has five (more or less) holes formed through it, in which are secured the upper ends of the small tubes 0. The lower ends of the tubes 0 are level with the base of the cone 0.

To the lower end of the tube B is attached a oa 'rplate, the edge of which projects to serve as a stop to prevent the cone U from being drawn off the said tube B. In the lower part of the tube B, and in its cap-plate, are formed holes to allowair and water to pass. in and out freely.

D is a tube, about one inch in diameter and about twenty-four inches long. The lower end of the tube D is enlarged to receive and fit upon the upper end of the tube B, to which it is secured, detachably, by a bayonet-catch or other convenient fastening.

Upon the upper end of the tube D is placed a cap, through which passes a rod, E, which passes down into the tube B, and has a piston, F, attached to its lower end, to fit into and work air-tight in the said tube B.

To the upper end of the rod E is attached a crank-shaped orother shaped handle, G, for convenience in operating it.

To the upper and lower parts of the rod E are attached rubber blocks H, to strike against the ends of the tube D, to prevent wear, noise, and jar when the said rod is worked up and down.

In using the machine the clothes to be washed are spread evenly over the bottom of the tub or other vessel, and soap and water are put in. The device is then held in the left hand, and the. handle G is raised with the right hand. The cones are then placed in the water above the clothes, and the handle G is forced down, forcing the air in the tube B into and through the clothes.

The handle G is worked up and down, drawing air and water into the tube B, and forcing them out into and through the clothes while the machine is moved about over all parts of the said clothes.

With this construction, as the air and water are forced out by the descent of the piston, the flange or inward bend upon the edge of the cone A forces them inward toward the center of the clothes beneath the said cone, greatly increasing the effect.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- In a pounder having the cone A, the trimcated cone 0, having a plate with small tubes and a sliding sleeve, in combination with a tube, B, having a cap-plate" on its lower end and side perforations.

ROBERT POTTER LUMMIS. Witnesses:

DIcK PHELPS SLoAN, ZED. W001) TIBBETTS. 

